System for signalling power unbalance between electric power stations

• US 5,870,293 A
• Filed: 10/15/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Svensson, Kjell, Palsson, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US08/950,765
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 363/34, 363/35, 363/37, 363/40, 363/45, 363/46
• US Class Current: 363/37
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/36 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks via a high-tension dc link
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/60 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks or generators via a high voltage DC link [HVCD]

Abstract

A system for transmitting electric power between a direct voltage network and alternating voltage networks through VSC-converters. A first station which transmits electric power is in voltage regulating mode. Switching members at a second station are adapted to be alternatingly switched in and out upon occurrence of a sudden change of power so as to alternatingly connect one of the poles of the direct voltage network through an associated resistance to ground. A ground current generated therethrough is detected by a ground current measuring member of the first station, which is thereby informed about the unbalance. The first station then takes corrective measures to reduce or eliminate the unbalance.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting electric power comprising:

a direct voltage network;

at least two alternating voltage networks;

a first power station connected to said direct voltage network and one of said alternating voltage networks including;

converter means for transferring power bidirectionally between said direct voltage network and said one alternating voltage network;

means for regulating the direct voltage on said connected direct voltage network,

means for sensing voltage pulses on said direct voltage network representing an unbalance detected by another power station connected to said direct voltage network, said means for sensing being connected to said means for regulating for regulating said direct voltage on said direct voltage network in response to said pulses; and

a second power station connected to said direct voltage network and another of said alternating voltage networks comprising;

means for transferring power bi-directionally between said direct voltage network and said another of said alternating voltage networks,

means for detecting an unbalance on said direct voltage network, and

means for generating pulses on said direct voltage network for identifying said unbalance to said first power station, whereby said first power station responds thereto by regulating said direct voltage in a direction to correct said unbalance.

2. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating pulses on said direct voltage network comprises:

a first resistor connected at one end to ground,

a second resistor connected at one end to ground, and

switching means for alternately connecting remaining ends of said first and second resistors to first and second poles of said direct voltage network whereby pulses of an opposite polarity are created on said network in response to said an unbalance detected on said direct voltage network.

3. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1 further comprising means at said second station for shunting power from said direct voltage network until a balance is established on said direct voltage network.

4. The system for transmitting power according to claim 3 wherein said means for shunting power comprises

a means for connecting a resistor between said high voltage network and a ground potential.

5. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting an unbalance detects a blocking of a converter of the second station as said unbalance.

6. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting an unbalance comprises means for measuring the direct voltage on the direct voltage network at said second station, and pulses are initiated on said direct voltage network when the direct voltage measured exceeds a predetermined level.

7. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1, wherein the means for regulating of the first station registers an occurrence of said unbalance state at said second station when a predetermined number of pulses are sensed.

8. The system for transmitting power according to claim 7, when said predetermined number of pulses is less than five.

9. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1 wherein said first power station includes:

means for detecting an unbalance on said direct voltage network; and

means for generating pulses on said direct voltage network which identify to said second power station that an unbalance has been identified by said first station.

10. The system for transmitting power according to claim 9 wherein said second power station includes:

means for detecting pulses on said direct voltage network; and

means for regulating the voltage at said second station in response to said detected pulses in a direction to eliminate said unbalance.

11. The system for transmitting power according to claim 1 wherein said converter means is a VSC converter.

12. A system for transmitting power according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating pulses on said direct voltage network comprises switching means for alternately connecting first and second poles of said direct voltage network through a resistance to ground, whereby pulses of an opposite polarity are created on said network in response to said unbalance detected on said direct voltage network.